Anyone can create an index, right?Not exactly. It is true that anyone with the right software can create a concordance for a book. However, this does not mean that anyone can or should create an index for your publication.

Here's why. A professionally created, custom-made index offers your readers more than a concordance, which is only an alphabetized list of words at the end of a book. The custom-made index is an intuitive map for your readers; it helps readers navigate through your book quickly and efficiently. This is because a professional indexer anticipates the needs of your readers in a way that concordance generating software simply cannot do.Trust a professional indexer. After reading your book, I can create a custom-made index to your specifications with my professional indexing software. This index will give your book even greater appeal in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace. The casual reader and serious researcher alike will return to your book again and again because it contains meaningful information that is easy to locate in its custom-made index.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

The proof is in the professionalism...

Cutting book production costs is a wonderful thing. However, do not skimp on hiring a professional indexer for your book. Why? Consulting editor, Alan Rinzler, uncovers answers to this question in his brief interview with well-respected professional indexer, Sylvia Coates. Some of Sylvia's answers to the "why" question include: knowledge of style guide conventions and press specifications; consistent index entries with thematic interconnectedness; and finally, a professionally created end-product that adds credibility to the author's work. To read on for more answers to the "why" question click here; you will be glad you did!